The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been holding the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, in detention for three days.

In a statement shared on its X handle, on Friday, November 29, FIJ described the detention as unjust and an attack on press freedom. It said, “Journalism is not a crime!”

The organisation called for immediate action for his release, using the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow to amplify its demand.

“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder @fisayosoyombo three days running. Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the post read.

In another post, FIJ stated that “All his devices have been seized,” calling on the Nigerian Army to “preserve his evidence and truth.

“Don’t destroy the evidence. We insist the truth must come out. It’s in your custody, don’t destroy the evidence,” the statement added.

The news of his detention has generated outcry on social media, particularly on X, with many condemning his detention.

However, confirming Soyombo's detention detention in a Friday statement, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said it had nothing to do with his work as a journalist.

According to the statement, the ace journalist was arrested during a raid on an illegal bunkering site in the region.

The statement read, “The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has expressed concern over allegations circulating on social media that it detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt.

“While the Division does not typically engage with the purveyors of falsehoods, it is necessary to set the record straight.

“As part of its intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering, the 6 Division Nigerian Army has recorded significant successes. Recent intelligence uncovered the activities of a notorious gang involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil connections in the region.

“In a carefully planned operation, troops tracked the suspects to an illegal oil bunkering site. During the operation, multiple arrests were made, including that of Mr Fisayo Soyombo, who was found at the scene.

“The suspects, including Mr Soyombo, are currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement in the illegal activities.

“His arrest is directly linked to the ongoing anti-oil theft operations in the region, and any claims suggesting otherwise are baseless.

“The Division strongly urges media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports before disseminating information to the public.

“The 6 Division Nigerian Army remains committed to combating criminal activities, particularly oil theft, to ensure the protection of national resources and increased oil and gas production in the region.

“The Nigerian Army assures the public of its dedication to upholding security and welcomes constructive engagements to foster understanding and transparency.”

This is not the first time Soyombo, a renowned investigative journalist and editor, has been detained for his journalism work. Known for exposing corruption and systemic failures, Soyombo has long been a target for scrutiny by powerful figures.

Recently, the journalist has been outspoken about the role of the Nigerian Customs Service in smuggling rice, arms, and other goods into the country.

This followed his report revealing that smugglers could bring all sorts of goods into Nigeria as long as they bribed Customs officials.

The report also highlighted that officials of the NCS only publish the names of smugglers who refuse to bribe them.

(Pieced together from reports by ICiR and Channels TV)